Piers Morgan was left furious today as Conservative MP Matt Hancock refused to say whether he would forego the MP pay rise.
The Health Secretary appeared on Good Morning Britain for the second time today since the government stopped boycotting the ITV programme.
But while addressing the positive news of the Oxford AstraZeneca vaccine, which was today revealed to have 70% efficacy, the MP was probed on reports that MPs are on course for an above-inflation pay rise in April.
This is despite the hit to the economy amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Parliament's pay watchdog has said that MPs' wages should rise by 4.1% rise (around £3,300) next year.
MPs used to vote on their own pay before the system was replaced by independent body IPSA - with no vote in Parliament.
Facing host Piers on GMB today, Hancock was asked whether he would follow in fellow Tory Nadhim Zahawi's shoes by confirming that he will not take a pay rise.
Pointing out that there is set to be a three-year freeze on public sector pay, Piers asked: "Would it not be a right thing for every MP that none of you agree to take a pay rise?"
However, Matt Hancock skirted around the issue and refused to outright confirm or deny that he would take a pay rise.
Piers repeatedly tried to ask Hancock, but the MP continued to avoid responding.
"If you are offered a pay rise, will you accept it?" Piers probed. "I would love to hear you say 'I will not take it'... why do you need to think about it."
Hancock responded that after the financial crash that no MPs took a pay rise, adding: "I will answer this question when firstly the pay policy has been set out by the Chancellor."
"It doesn't matter what the pay policy is," Piers raged.
And GMB viewers were similarly unsettled by Hancock's lack of response and "smirking" when asked by Piers.
One tweeted: "Matt Hancock doing his trademark smirk and squirm. He is painful to watch. #GMB"
While another commented: "Matt Hancock looks creepy as hell and stop saying it’s about balance. Shifty eyes and stupid smirk when asked serious questions #GMB."
A third wrote: "The smirking idiot Matt Hancock getting another kicking by Piers and Susanna again on GMB As if he isn't going to take a pay rise while all public sector workers continue to struggle #GMB."
This is not mature But if I see Hancock smirking away on TV, once more, I may go f***ing nuts !! Highest deaths Europe 20 000 elderly in care homes Herd immunity #r4today #BBCBreakfast #GMB," another raged.
Another fumed: "It's just creepy. #gmb simple fkn question. It's no point having him on. He just smirks and shuns every question!"
*Good Morning Britain airs weekdays at 6am on ITV
